I currently live in NYC (single, straight male, 40) Although I like NY alot, I want to go to a warmer climate and am having a tough time deciding between moving to Ft Lauderdale or San Diego.
Which city do you think a NY'er would enjoy living more? And Why? Which city had more interesting activities? Which city is easier for singles to meet in????

San Diego has ideal weather conditions, a casual attitude and there's always plenty to do in Southern California. The population is fairly young.

San Diego is also far more expensive, but coming from NYC still cheaper than your current situation.

San Diego is culturally behind many other big cities, but Ft Lauderdale (and Florida in general) is not that great either.

Ft Lauderddale would put you in an environment with more similar people becuase many East coast folks retire/move/vacation there.

Good luck.

Mike
I live in SD but travel to Miami/Dade County QUite a bit. Weather wise Ft Lauderdale will be much warmer throughout the year. SD day temps go down into the high 50's low 60's from Jan to March, Somethimes Dec and April with have these conditions also. Nights will be high 30's to mid 40s. SD has little humidity in the summer and the summer temps by the coast rarely get above 85. Inland (>7 miles inland) temps get get mid 90's or higher but with low humidity. Ft Lauderdale is much hotter and much more humid in the summer and much warmer in the winter with day temps rarely below 65-68.
People wise- both have large ethnic popluations so the food will be good. Ft Lauderdale will have more diverse Latin bacgrounds (PR, Cuban, Carribean) while SD is primarily Mexican although SD has a much larger Asian population. Ft Laderdale may not be quite as ethinc as Miami but it is only 20-40 minute drive to Miami depending on traffic. SD is more hi-tech/business oriented so there are much more professionals in your (our) age group. Both cities have bad traffic and poor mass transportation if you consider Miami with Ft. Lauderdale as SD is smilar sizej if you include the outer suburb areas like Carlsbad, Oceanside, Rancho Bernardo. As far as a NY'er, there are many more NY'ers in Ft Lauderdale so you may click personality wise easier but both cities have a laid back attitude. SD probably has a little more to do activity since we have more diverse geography - mountains, beach, desert. I think it all depends on 1. your job- how trasferrable are your skills, 2. How much $$ you can afford (SD is much more expensive) 3. how close you are to family and friends or if you know someone(s) in either FL or SD.
By the way I'm your age and moved here five years ago and found meeting women very easy especially if you are a physically active guy. Women dig that here. I hooked up pretty quickly with a few women and got married within a couple of years.

Miami/Ft. Lauderdale has more night life than SD.

I live in San Diego and was thinking about making the move to Florida to take advantage of cheaper housing. But after a 2 week visit, I came back to San Diego and decided that I was not leaving. I'm in your age range and finding women isn't difficult if you enjoy sports. Roller blading, beach volleyball, running - all popular activities in Mission Bay on a daily basis.

The Gas Lamp District is a popular area for nightlife. But for a more laid back atmosphere with plenty of good looking women, hit the Pacific Beach bar scene.

If you're from NY, you'll fit in great right here in sunny South Florida. There are so many transplants from your area....complete with the accent and an attitude to match!

Thanks to all for the great replies so far! Very informative! I think I was going a little more toward Ft. Lauderdale because I do like those nice warm winters (although, of course, you do have the higher humidity) and because of the lower cost of living...Sounds like if your outdoors active, it isn't too hard to meet women in SD....wonder how it is in Ft Lauderdale????
All those reading this, please continue to post on your preferred area (SD or Ft Lauderdale) to live...This is helping me get a more well rounded picture of what both are
like....

Oh yes, and I was also interested in knowing how the public transit systems are in the 2 cities...can you manage without a car? And how about the cost of living...I understand that apt rents are higher in San Diego than Ft Lauderdale (but generally less than NYC), but how about other expenses, like buying groceries, dining out, entertainment costs, etc?
Any other comments about these items and my original questions (meeting women, nightlife, activities, entertainment, etc). would be welcome...

As one of those single women you're looking to meet...I'd vote for San Diego. One of the other posters mentioned downtown and Pacific Beach. Two of my favorite places! Downtown is more club oriented, PB more laid back, lots of outside patio bars. If you're concerned about transportation though, I'd be worried. Our mass transit is horrible. San Diego is pretty spread out and there are not many busses. The trolley is just now being expanded but will still miss most of San Diego. In a car, it takes about 20 minutes to get anywhere in SD. But the weather is great! And we don't have the bugs and humidity that Florida does. Hope I helped!

Do you think that the only place to meet people is on the east coast or west coast? Don't be so god damn shallow.

Thanks Melissa for you very informative comments! Could do without the sarcasm of the poster that came after yours. I greatly desire getting away from NYs cold winters and going to a little more relaxed lifestyle, that is why I was considering San Diego and Ft Lauderdale. But naturally, I was also interested in the social scene as well....
I was kind of hoping to go "carless" if I moved to San Diego (I get the impression you transit is much better then Floridas cause I have used Broward County transit and THAT IS BAD) but seems like from what you are telling me Melissa, a car would still be necessary even in San Diego. I thought if I lived in one of the central areas like downtown or Mission valley or surrounding communities, that it might be do able to use the transit to get to the nearby surrounding areas....
Anyone else with comments about either city are welcome to post on my original questions or latest comments as well...

Seems like Craig (from another post about Moving to Ft. Lauderdale) & Mike are the same poster. Both are the same age, both from NYC and both are interested in a "carless" community and a good dating scene. Why bother us with two posts when both seem to ask for the same answers?